All my cats won't just lay still, they are constantly squirming and moaning (complaining) and occasionally trying to bite me. when ever its time to trim someones toenails.
*By the way its illegal to have a cat declawed in California.
I wouldn't do it even if it was legal, its too cruel to the cat to maim it by cutting off its poor little toe tips.
2007-03-28 10:00:12 · 9 answers · asked by somber_pieces 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
I always lay them on their backs, in the nook between my legs (on my lap).
When friends watch me trim a cat's toenails, all of them are (my friends) are rolling around laughing.
I don't think its funny and neither does the cat.
2007-03-28 10:40:00 · update #1
If they're not used to having their paws handled you may need to help them get used to that. Everyday just try to play with their paws in the same way that you would when you cut their claws (pressing on the toe to expose the claw), a little more each day. Try to make them as comfortable as possible and give them a treat after they are done--if the kitty associates you touching their paws with something good (treat) instead of something uncomfortable they will be more at ease when you cut their claws. Also, make sure that you are not cutting the pink part of their claw (the quick), this can be very painful for kitty. It may take time to be able to cut all kitty's claws in one sitting and you may have to start out with cutting only one claw a day, but eventually it will get easier. Hope this helps! Good luck!
P.S. Good for you for not declawing--it's a horrible practice and extremely cruel.
2007-03-28 10:39:11 · answer #1 · answered by Kristin 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not so much the clipping of the nails that bothers them, but rather that most cats don't like their paws touched and aren't used to it. You need to at least try to get a few nails on a regular basis. I trim my cats nails every 2-3 weeks, though I'm wondering if that's too often.
My male cat wouldn't let me even do one nail when I got him just over a year ago. I had to scruff him while someone else retracted his claw for me to trim. We'd be lucky if we could get half of the nails trimmed. Like you, I refuse to declaw, so I just kept trying. And let me tell you, I have the battle scars to prove it. I swear to this day, when I adopted him, he didn't come with claws - he came with daggers. I had never seen cat nails so long. I don't think they were able to catch him at the shelter in order to clip his nails.
Now, I can do all of his nails pretty much by myself in just a few minutes. He's still not keen on it, but he doesn't struggle or fight anywhere near as much as he did before. It just takes time and patience.
2007-03-28 17:08:10 · answer #2 · answered by J 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cats are squirmy in general when you are trying to do any grooming. The secret to cutting their nails without much resistance is to touch and hold their paws frequently, preferably starting as young as possible. When they are used to you handling their paws, they will freak out less. Since, in most cases, the only time an owner handles the paws are to clip claws, the cat associates having its paws held with having its nails clipped. And if you've ever accidentally gotten into the quick, they will remember that.
2007-03-28 17:37:43 · answer #3 · answered by Chris J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know, they act like you are going to kill them or something. I have found a way that may be a little easier for you. Lay the cat on its back on a towel in your lap. Cover all but one paw for trimming. They may still try to bite you, but the squirming is somewhat less, at least for me.
2007-03-28 17:07:48 · answer #4 · answered by Terry Z 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They may not like being held on their back like that. I clip the nails of my cat when he's laying down, I just gently take each of his feet in turn. When he was younger and more squirmish, I'd sit on the floor with my knees a little apart, held him in between my legs, and clipped his front paws that way; his hind paws didn't need clipping when he was still more active, he wore them off enough even indoors. I've never held him on his back for anything.
2007-03-29 18:53:31 · answer #5 · answered by Sheriam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you shouldn't ever have to clip a cats nails if you have a scratching post which you should have. they will keep their claws neat and trimmed. cats don't need to be groomed really at all maybe if its a long hair trips to the groomers. if you really find it that you have to have them trimmed ask the vet to do it on your next visit.
2007-03-28 17:17:47 · answer #6 · answered by ericams85 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its not that they don't like they just dont want to do what you want them to do. I have two cats i clip both their nails one puts up a fight and will sit there and take it cats are just funny and independant.
2007-03-28 17:20:24 · answer #7 · answered by melissa1975666 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats don't plain don't like it. It's like little kids when it comes to grooming. You tell them to go wash their hands, and they don't want to. And when you make them and try and do it for them, they fight with you.
Cat's just don't like having their nails cut. It probably also hurts them.
And I agree on your declawing views. It's cruel and nasty.
2007-03-28 17:05:11 · answer #8 · answered by blocupables 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well im not sure but my cat just sits there when my mom clip his claws!
2007-03-28 18:11:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋